We are grateful that God continues to draw more people to Himself this year through Operation Heal Our Patriots.
Staff Sergeant Omar Milan and his wife Michelle have created beautiful memories throughout their 23-year marriage. But one pivotal moment changed the course of their lives forever.
During his second deployment in Afghanistan, Omar stepped on an improvised explosive device. The blast resulted in the loss of his leg and a finger, and caused multiple fractures in his arm, hip, and collarbone. The intense recovery that followed brought his 12-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps to an unexpected end.
During their week in Alaska, Omar and Michelle began experiencing new life in Jesus Christ.
As the couple adjusted to life after Omar’s injuries, they had to relearn roles and responsibilities while navigating the emotional and physical toll of the recovery process. Over time, their communication lessened and conflict was often swept under the rug.
“Every marriage goes through difficult times, and we have made it through some of those difficult times, but we were presented an even bigger challenge when I got injured,” Omar said.
They knew they needed help, so when they heard about Operation Heal Our Patriots, they decided to apply. The couple hoped the weeklong retreat would give them tools to reconnect, but what they received was even more valuable.
New Life in Christ
A cool breeze drifted across Lake Clark as a sea of American flag-waving staff, volunteers, chaplains, and Port Alsworth locals welcomed nine couples to Samaritan Lodge Alaska. Their arrival marked the halfway point of the 2026 summer season.
The Milans were baptized in Lake Clark by our chaplains.
“The welcome for me just was amazing, and it warmed my heart to see the patriotism that they showed us when we landed,” Omar said.
As the week kicked off, the Milans bonded with other veterans and their spouses and enjoyed connecting with one another in the great Alaskan outdoors. During their first excursion, Omar looked up at a narrow path that led to a waterfall. He knew the trek would test the mobility of his prosthetic, but after some encouragement from his wife, he embraced the challenge.
“Michelle believing in me gets me to do things that I doubt I can actually do,” Omar said.
With the help of a guide and with Michelle by his side, Omar navigated the winding trail.
“I told him, ‘You can do this. Just try,’” Michelle said. “It wasn’t easy, but he made it up there, and we saw a beautiful waterfall.”
The couple enjoyed exploring The Last Frontier, but the most transformative moments happened during the Biblical marriage classes led by chaplains.
While Omar and Michelle had always believed God existed, they hadn’t been pursuing any particular religion. But Michelle was excited to learn more about faith in the Lord because of her past encounters with Christians.
“What got me the most interested in learning more about God was that the people I met who have a close relationship with Him seem like the happiest people,” Michelle said.
Biblically based marriage classes taught the Milans how to communicate better. They also learned what it looks like to build their marriage on Jesus Christ.
Through classes that covered an array of topics – like communication, forgiveness, and family mottos – she and Omar began learning more about God’s design for marriage and His great love for them.
They met with the chaplains who shared the Gospel and explained that it is never too late to have a relationship with Jesus. Without hesitation, Michelle and Omar decided they wanted to experience the same joy they saw other Christians have and gave their lives to Christ.
“We said a prayer, and accepted God into our hearts,” Michelle said. “I felt at peace.”
Surrounded by mountains and glassy water, Michelle and Omar and seven others were baptized by chaplains in Lake Clark Friday morning.
Although the Milans know they will continue to face trials and challenges, they feel better equipped to handle whatever comes their way and to lead their two daughters in faith.
“I have a relationship with God, a stronger connection with Michelle, and better tools to help our marriage,” Omar said.
A Fresh Start
Daily excursions, including hiking to Tanalian Falls, fishing on Lake Clark, and bear viewing at Katmai National Park, allowed the couples to spend quality time with one another enjoying God’s creation. For Sergeant First Class Anita McClain and her husband, Joe, their time changed the trajectory of their marriage.
The McClains recommitted their marriage to God and learned how to open up lines of communication in their marriage.
Just a few weeks before arriving, Anita was told she would be medically retired because of a combat-related shoulder injury. She was only two years short of a 20-year career. On top of this difficult news, she and Joe were carrying around pent-up anger and resentment.
“We were going down a bad road,” Anita said. The couple had tried several ways, including counseling, to remedy their conflict, but nothing seemed to work. “We would try things, and we’d fail. We’d try something else, and we’d fail.”
Then they heard about Operation Heal Our Patriots from friends and decided to apply. This would be their final attempt to salvage their marriage.
When they landed, they turned off their phones for the week. They were the first to sign up for counseling with our chaplains. Halfway through the week, the McClains joined staff and other couples on the dock and participated in a polar plunge into Lake Clark–a memorable camp tradition. For Anita and Joe, the jump into the ice-cold water represented a fresh start.
The couple experienced new life in their marriage and hope for their future.
“When we did the plunge, we made a pact that we would leave our history behind and leave it in the water,” Joe said.
Anita said the week renewed her for their life together.
“This week saved our marriage,” Anita said through tears. “It just really opened my heart and my mind that it’s going to be okay. I have hope not only in my marriage but in my career and for our family.”
We praise God that the McClains joined five other couples in renewing their wedding vows.
“It gave us an opportunity to just clean the slate and move forward,” Anita said. “This week has been an unforgettable experience that we’ll talk about for years to come and tell our grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”
Please pray for the remaining eight weeks of Operation Heal Our Patriots this summer and that more military marriages will be restored and more will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
